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Air Box Modification Question

jrfranz

Active Member
Joined
December 29, 2001
Messages
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City, State
Madison, WI
Year, Model & Trim Level
'96 XLT 4.0L 4x4
I looked under my hood yesterday with the intention of cutting up my factory air box to improve air flow thinking I had a clear plan or that it would be obvious - I am now confused again - what is the best way to modify it?

I can see why this is a major constriction on the motor as it has to suck in all that air from that dinky little hole in the fender.

I see some posts when I search that say they cut the entire front off and some that say they drilled holes in it, but I am not sure where as their desrciptions do not make sense as my air box is round?

Is drilling / cutting + K&N as effective as a FIPK or a KKM? I saw a number of posts stating the open cone filter is bad because it sucks air from under the hood - does that apply to those of us that only have 2-3 months of hot weather - last year we never broke 95F.


Thanks for the advice -

Jeff
:nono: :nono: :eek:
 



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The air flow will be much improved with a KKM or K&N FIPK than with a cut up air box. Further, it looks a lot better and I am sure you will like the sound.

Good luck.

I noticed mileage increase after installing my KKM a year ago.
 






I say try the cut air box first, since its free. I noticed more gains with the cut air box and a K&N than with just an open air filter.
 






on your 96 do you have the cone shaped filter or the box (square/rectangle) filter?

if you have the cone filter I would suggest the K&N fipk or the KKM

if you have the box filter I would suggest to cut the front of the box out, where the restricting hole is, about 4x6 inches square and put a drop in ( about $50)

I have one friend that has a 96 OHV with the cone filter and has the fipk, and another that has a 96 with the SOHC w/ cut box and drop in K&N.

They both sound bad a$$ and run the same but one spent less than the other.. I think cause It's harder to cut the cone filter housing than the box...

just my .02
 






I drilled mine using a 1/2 inch unibit. It starts the hole small, like 1/8 and is stepped up from there. It cut through it like a hot knife through butter! And I didn't crack it, I think I would have with a regular bit. I like it, I'd say it gave me a mpg. And the sound is not noticable untill you stomp it.
 






on your 96 do you have the cone shaped filter or the box (square/rectangle) filter?

I have the round filter - it is slightly conical in shape, and it is in a cylindrical housing that splitis into two pieces in the center. The piece closer to the fender houses the filter and the piece closer to the engine connects to the MAS. The piece that houses the filter has a hole in the end that appers to go into the fender (the hole is a little bigger than the size of $.50 piece).

I can see why this is soo constricing -

Has anyone modified an air box like this? I was thinking of using a drill to punch some holes in the end by the fender and see how it goes. If it works for poop I will just pony up and get the FIPK or KKM.

I have also read it is a good idea to have a hole in the bottom of the air box as well to allow any water sucked it to drain out- any thoughts there?

Thanks for all the suggestions -

Jeff
 






On my '92:
I drilled a few small holes in the bottom of mine for that purpose.

Basically, I just removed the lower part of the box and then drilled several holes on all four sides...probably from 1/2" to about 2" in diameter. Start out with a tiny bit (or the bit mentioned above) other you'll crack the box very easily. One side of mine ended up cracking out and I almost had to go find another airbox. It's very brittle material.

As for my '97, I'm not sure what I'll do...whether I'll just modify the box and drop in a K&N or go with the FIPK.
 






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